Coast Guard, partner agencies searching for boater near Mead Point

CORTEZ, Fla. – The Coast Guard and partner agencies continue to search Saturday for a 63-year-old boater near Mead Point.

Missing is Fraser Horne, 63, from Cortez.

At approximately 6:15 p.m. Friday, watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a report from Horne’s wife stating her husband departed from Egmont Key aboard his 30-foot boat, Golden Rush, but did not return home on time.

A 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew from Coast Guard Station Cortez and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater were launched to search.

The Jayhawk crew located Horne’s 30-foot boat, Golden Rush, at 11:15 p.m. about 5 miles north west of Mead Point. A rescue swimmer was lowered and he reported the vessel’s engines were left on, but the boat was in neutral. Wallet, keys, and shoes were located on the vessel.

Crewmembers from Hillsborough County Sheriff Office, Holmes Beach Police Department, Manatee County Sheriff’s office and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are aiding in the search.

The Coast Guard asks boaters to keep a lookout and contact Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at (727) 824-7506 with any information regarding the whereabouts of Horne.